SUMMARY
The Demons head west after a bitterly disappointing loss to St Kilda while the Eagles have won four in a row. But questions still remain over the home side's finals credentials given the Eagles just scraped over the line against Carlton last week. The Demons have a woeful recent record against West Coast and an even worse record at Domain Stadium. The home ground advantage will be a significant one but records are there to be broken and the Demons would love to break a drought that dates back to 2004. Max Gawn could be an influential figure in the match in the absence of Nic Naitanui. Scott Lycett has been battling away as the Eagles' main ruckman over the last two weeks and faces another tough task.
Jack Darling (left) booted five goals against the Dees in 2015. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Saturday, July 23, 2.35pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R14, 2015, West Coast 16.18 (114) d Melbourne 9.6 (60) at TIO Stadium
R22, 2014, West Coast 18.11 (119) d Melbourne 8.5 (53) at Domain Stadium
R2, 2014, West Coast 18.15 (123) d Melbourne 4.6 (30) at the MCG
R3, 2013, West Coast 27.15 (177) d Melbourne 13.5 (83) at the MCG
R2, 2012, West Coast 25.16 (166) d Melbourne 9.4 (58) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. West Coast has won the last nine encounters between these two sides. Melbourne's last win over the Eagles came in 2009 when Dean Bailey was coach.
2. The Eagles have averaged 131 points per game against the Demons in their last seven clashes. The Demons have averaged just 57 points in those games.
3. Melbourne has lost its last 16 matches at Domain Stadium. The Demons won eight of their first 17 at the venue but have not won there since 2004.
4. This will be a contrast in styles. The Demons like to use the ball by hand, ranking second for total handballs this season. West Coast is 18th for total handballs.
5. The ruck battle will be a vital. The two sides rank one and two for total hit-outs this season. Max Gawn is ranked number one in the AFL with 41.6 per game. Scott Lycett is ranked 24th with 20 per game.
6. The Eagles have two midfielders, Matt Priddis (15th overall) and Luke Shuey (27th), ranked in the top 30 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Melbourne's top-ranked midfielders are Nathan Jones (69th) and Jack Viney (72nd).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jack Darling
He kicked 0.5 last week against Carlton after just 1.1 the week before against North Melbourne. He's an important part of the Eagles' forward set-up when up and going. He kicked five goals against Melbourne last year and would love a big bag.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 30 points
